Copyright bill cleared

RIYADH, 4 November — The Shoura Council yesterday passed a copyright bill which provides legal protection for all forms of art, audio-visual and software products in the Kingdom. Secretary-general of the council, Hamoud Al-Badr, said the 28-article bill will be sent to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd for endorsement.

The draft law provides protection for computer programs, audio-visual products, books, art products and translation aids, Al-Bader said.

It also provides protection for authors and lays out penalties against violators, he said.